Los Angeles collective The Neighborhood Orchestra, a long-standing and instrumental piece of its musical community, has finally unveiled their debut self-produced single, “A Girl Like You” (feat. Murs). If you’ve attended staple music festivals like Echo Park Rising or NextFest LA then there’s a good chance you’ve seen the ensemble in action. They’re also currently hosting a residency at The Jazz Dojo at Hello Stranger in Little Tokyo on the first and third Tuesday of the month that you won’t want to miss.
Formed in 2020, The Neighborhood Orchestra has earned a reputation for putting on intimately funky showcases that often feature local artists. Since then, they’ve found admirers and collaborators in fellow musicians and icons like afrobeat legend Sandra Izsadore (who also frequently hosts The Jazz Dojo sessions) and GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum producer Kosine.
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Led by bandleader and bassist Guillermo “Memo” Tejeda, the collective has cultivated a dedicated following of Angelenos thanks to their eclectic embodiment of the city’s cultural and genre tapestry. They combine with fluid originality elements of soul, tropical, afro-funk, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B into verveful concoctions.
Their debut single, “A Girl Like You,” continues that tradition in its collaboration with Murs who brings a masterfully enthralling debonaire cool to the groovy track. Designed as an ode to feminine energy, the song promotes a revitalized male mindset regarding relationships. One teeming with both suave humor and genuine sincerity — “Our love story too hard for a paperback / A best-seller and I’m your best fella / For you I’d kill these suckers like Sarah Michelle Geller” — he raps over kinetic percussion.
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“At its core, ‘A Girl Like You’ celebrates the resilience of the creative community, illustrating how creativity shines brightest even in challenging times,” Tejeda said of the single. “More than a track, it’s a journey of love, a tribute to femininity, and a testament to community strength, leaving listeners in anticipation of what’s next.”
True to that ethos, the friendship between Tejeda and Murs was borne out of a connection made six years ago when the former was helping out his cousin Chef Ted Montoya (Caló) at L.A.’s renowned open-air food market SMORGUSBURG. After serving the rapper some vegan ceviche the rest was history, and now they’ve forged a lifelong bond to uplifting their communities.
Words: Steven Ward
See The Neighborhood Orchestra during their residency at The Jazz Dojo at Hello Stranger in Little Tokyo on November 7th.
Visit The Neighborhood Orchestra on their Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
